Shoe.



No. 669,4I7. Patented Mar.. 5, |901.

. C. F. KLETT.

SHOE.

(Application led June 1B, 1899,)

(No Model.)

\A\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\msi-"T/y l UNiTsn STATES PATENT @einen CHRISTIAN F. KLETT, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 669,417. dated March 5, 1901.

Application filed June 16, 1899. Serial No. 720,747. llo model-J To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be ity known that I, CHRISTIAN F. KLETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at. Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shoes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improved construction of shoe; and it consists, more especially, of devices for enabling the same to be readily secured upon the foot of the Wearerin a rapid and edective manner, means being also provided by the employment of fastening devices, hereinafter referred to, for permitting freedom of movement of the ankle of the wearer and for enabling the shoe to be properly ventilated.

It further consists of novel details of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Figure l represents a perspective view of a shoe embodying my invention, the fastening devices therefor being shown in disengaged position for enabling the insertion of the foot into the shoe. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a shoe embodying my invention with the fastening devices engaged.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the upper of a shoe, the same being divided to form the portions B and C, the portion C overlapping` the portion B. The said upper is divided, and said portions B and O overlap at one side of the shoe, for instance, like a button-shoe, as contradistinguished from being divided in the center like a laced shoe.

D designates a series of openings or slots in the portion C, which are preferably reinforced, and through which pass the straps or fastening devices, E each of which in practice consists of the members F, which are joined at one end by the solid portion G, while their other ends are secured, as at H, by stitching or any other suitable means to the portion B.

J designates one member of the locking devices, which is attached to the portion G, while the other member K is attached to the portion B of the upper, said locking devices being preferably similar to the usual balland-socket glove-fastener, although it is apparent that other similar devices may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The members K of the fastening devices are secured to the portion B at the other side of the center of the shoe and at a distance corresponding to the relative location of the openings D and the center of the shoe, the

length of the straps or fastening devices E I corresponding, of course, so that they extend approximately an equal distance on both sides of the shoe, and thus not only are symmetrical, but afford an even and equalized tension across the instep and ankle. In this Way it is seen that the fastening devices K and openings D are arranged approximately the same distance from the center of the shoe, so that the straps or fastening devices E also extend approximately the same distance on both sides of the center thereof.

When the parts are in the position seen in Fig. 1, the foot can be readily inserted into the shoe, after which the straps E are brought over into the position seen in Fig.f2 and the shoe is held firmly but easily on the foot.

The fastening devices can be quickly secured in position, and when the shoe is on the points H, where the members F are secured to the portion B of the upper, are concealed from view.

It will be apparent that a shoe constructed as above described can be readily and quickly placed upon or removed from the foot of the wearer and that, further, great freedom of movement of the ankle is prevented and the shoe When in position has a pleasing appearance to the eye.

I am aware that it has been proposed to provide a shoe with a series -of laces connected at one end to one side of the upper, extending throughopenings in the other side of the upper, and all connected together at their outer end to a common strap. In fastening the shoe the upper end of this strap is secured to the upper, to which the ends of the laces are secured, and the fastening of the shoe is dependent upon this in fastening. Opposite the point where the strap is secured the laces extend transversely across the shoe; but above and below the same they converge toward said point. In this Way all the laces are held by a common fastening device, so that the tension cannot be varied at diierent portions of the shoe, and the side of the upper through which the laces extend is apt to be drawn toward the fastening-point. Moreover, the sides of the uppers do not overlap, and with the laces connected with a common strap which is secured at one point only the edges of the upper cannot be brought together evenly and close. Furthermore, the laces extend to the outer side of the shoe only.

With my invention the sides of the upper overlap when fastened, which closes the shoe entirely, and the fastening devices are separately secured to the upper, so that each one extends transversely across the shoe and fastens the same with the tension to which the shoe should be secured at such point. Furthermore, the under piece of the overlapping uppers guards the foot, it being noted that the laces or straps do not come into contact With the foot.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A shoe having a divided upper provided With overlapping edges situated at one side of the center of said shoe, the outer of said overlapping portions extending over the other 3o or inner of said overlapping portions and being provided with a series of openings extending between its upper and lower edges, a cooperating series of fastening devices secured at one end to the outer face of said other or 35 inner of said overlapping portions and extending through said openings, a member of a locking device upon the outer face of the free ends of said fastening devices, and other and corresponding members of said locking 4o device secured to the inner of the overlapping portions of the upper in the rear of the connection of the fastening devices therewith, and on the other side of said shoe, the openings in the outerof the overlapping por- 45 tions and the members of the locking devices secured to the inner of the overlapping portions being sitnated approximately the same distance on opposite sides of the center of the shoe, whereby said fastening devices extend 5o across the instep and ankle on both sides of the shoe.

' CHRISTIAN F. KLETT. Witnesses:

WM. C. WIEDERSHEIM, H. H. BEANS. 

